TIMBER COMMISSION.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 284, 4 June 1909, Page 5

TIMBER COMMISSION.

' Although the Timber Commission has been granted a: month's extension of time in which to report, there will be no further sittings for the purpose of taking evidence, nor will the Commissioners, who have now dispersed, reassemble except, perhaps^ for the final revision and signature of. the completed report. - The hearing of evidence was concluded on Thursday night, and on Friday and Saturday, "the members met for the consideration,of their report, which will be presented to his Excellency the Governor, and through ■him to Parliament. At the final meetings a series of resolutions Avas passed, and these will form the basis of the report now being drafted. Upon most of the subjects set down for consideration an. agreement was arrived 'at among the members but, as was fairly evident from the attitude of the members during the public sittings of the Commission, there was a wide divergence of opinion on the question of the duty on Oregon pine. Several members, including Messrs H. Gr. EUand J. A. Hanan, M.P.'s, S. I. Clarke, and W. H. P. Barber, favorthe entire removal of the duty; others, including Messrs Fields .and W. T. Jeii:nings, M.P.'s, and W. Morris, Westland, favor, a prohibitive duty, -while others consider that the present duty affords sufficient protection. No reports have yet been signed, and none will be signed for some time yet. The Commission would have - sat straight on till its report was concluded and signed, but the early calling together of Parliament rendered it necessary for the eight of the twelve members avlio are M.P.'s to visit their j" homes and constituehci'es before tho I' session opens. . •